Theatre Royal Stratford East today announces new productions for spring/summer:
Burn It Down (19 April – 5 May 2022): A series of six newly commissioned script-in-hand performances about urgent political issues. Each piece will be a stand-alone scrutiny, calling out injustice and interrogating the systems that wield power.
Ballet Black: Double Bill (11 – 21 May 2022): For their return to Theatre Royal Stratford East, Ballet Black present two new works. The first is a piece for the full company by acclaimed South African choreographer Gregory Maqoma (Vuyani Dance Theatre), featuring an original score by Michael ‘Mikey J’ Asante (Boy Blue). The second ballet on the bill is directed by Ballet Black’s Founder and Artistic Director, Cassa Pancho, featuring choreography created by her and the Company. The piece explores the struggles and inspiration behind the formation of this award-winning company twenty years ago, through a series of vignettes.
· Fantastically Great Women Who Changed The World (15 Jun – 17 Jul 2022): Theatre Royal Stratford East welcomes the brand new kickass-pirational pop musical Fantastically Great Women Who Changed The World. Celebrated dramatist Chris Bush (Standing at the Sky's Edge) and Number 1 hit songwriter Miranda Cooper (Girls Aloud, Kylie Minogue) adapt suffragette descendent Kate Pankhurst’s award-winning picture book with music by Miranda Cooper and Jennifer Decilveo (Miley Cyrus, Beth Ditto).
· Tickets for these newly announced shows go on sale to access bookers and Theatre Royal Stratford East Members at noon on Tuesday 18 January, and on general sale at noon on Thursday 20 January.
Previously announced spring/summer productions include:
After the End (25 Feb – 26 March 2022): Dennis Kelly’s bitingly dark comedy will launch the spring/summer season with a new production by director Lyndsey Turner. The resilience of colleagues Mark and Louise is put to the test when they find themselves in a fallout shelter following a nuclear attack with only two weeks of supplies.
SLAMbition (30 March 2022): A brand-new monologue slam-style competition putting a spotlight on the incredible range of Deaf, disabled and neurodivergent talent that exists in the arts. In association with Ramps on the Moon, Artists will perform two monologues in front of an invited audience of leading industry creatives including directors, casting agents and casting directors as well as the chance to win an exciting package of prizes. Deadline for applications has been extended to Saturday 29 January. A video introduction to SLAMbition by Tabby Lamb, with captions and BSL can be found here: www.stratfordeast.com/whats-on/all-shows/slambition.
Tickets for After The End are now on sale.
Speaking about her new season at Theatre Royal Stratford East, Artistic Director Nadia Fall said:
"Listening to our audiences there has been a huge appetite for congregation and debate around the most urgent political and social issues affecting all our lives. Burn it Down is very much a response to that: short, sharp, dramas from some of the most talented writers of the moment. I’m expecting lively conversations in the bar post show.
Alongside that we have all felt the need to be uplifted and entertained. The beautiful and ever popular work of Ballet Black and the absolute knock out new musical Fantastically Great Women Who Changed The World are a total antidote to drudgery, and I defy anyone not to leave on a cloud.
After The End is a masterclass in storytelling, with dazzlingly dark twists and turns, it’s pure theatre. This season is designed to be electric and life affirming, there is nothing softly softly about it.”
Theatre Royal Stratford East also announce two projects as part of their celebrated Learning and Participation programme this spring/summer:
Future Leaders: Stratford East is launching a brand-new initiative, Future Leaders. The programme is for East London-based 16–25-year-olds who are interested in learning about different types of leadership, how cultural organisations are run, and want to have their say in the future of our creative industries.
Young Company 2022 (28 – 30 Jul 2022): Stratford East’s 21/22 Young Company are currently devising a brand-new production with Director Toby Clarke and Writer Sophie Ellerby, to be performed at Stratford East. Current Young Company members: Grace Coulson-Harris, Taliyah Defreitas-Smith, Jade Franks, Morgan Hilaire, Rees Jenkins, Junior Kapesi-Tuku, Pelé Kelland-Beau, Bibi MacDougall, Mariama Mansary, Karl Markey-Lee, David Olaniregun, and Moussa Samba.
PRODUCTION INFORMATION
Theatre Royal Stratford East presents
AFTER THE END
Written by Dennis Kelly
Directed by Lyndsey Turner
Design by Peter McKintosh
Sound Designer & Composer Tingying Dong
Sound Design Mentor Paul Arditti
Assistant Director Aaliyah McKay
Fight Director Bret Yount
Casting Director Isabella Odoffin
Friday 25 February – Saturday 26 March 2022
Press Performance: Wednesday 02 March 2022, 7pm
A city under attack from a nuclear blast. As the dust settles, Louise wakes to find herself in a fallout shelter with Mark, the colleague who has saved her life. They have enough water and food to last two weeks. Now they just need to find a way of surviving each other.
Directed by Lyndsey Turner, Dennis Kelly’s chilling play examines what it takes to endure catastrophe.
LISTING:
AFTER THE END
Fri 25 Feb – Sat 26 Mar 2022
Times: Mon – Sat, 7.30pm. Thu & Sat, 2.30pm & 7.30pm. Wed 02 Mar, 7pm.
Tickets: from £10
Relaxed Environment: Sat 19 Mar, 2.30pm
Audio Described: Sat 26 Mar, 2.30pm
Captioned: Fri 25 Mar, 7.30pm
BSL Interpreted: Thu 24 Mar, 7.30pm
Theatre Royal Stratford East in association with Ramps on the Moon present
SLAMbition
Deadline for applications has been extended to Saturday 29 January. A video introduction to SLAMbition by Tabby Lamb, with captions and BSL can be found here: www.stratfordeast.com/whats-on/all-shows/slambition.
SLAMbition is a brand-new monologue slam-style competition putting a spotlight on the incredible range of Deaf, disabled and neurodivergent talent that exists in the arts. It’s an opportunity for artists to perform two monologues in front of an invited audience of leading industry creatives including directors, casting agents and casting directors. Not only is this an opportunity to showcase talent, participants also receive one-on-one rehearsal time with a director and there'll be plenty of networking opportunities - plus, there'll also be an exciting package of prizes for the winners.
The evening will be hosted by Tabby Lamb and will include networking opportunities for participating artists.
Theatre Royal Stratford East presents
BURN IT DOWN
19 April – 5 May 2022, every Tuesday & Thursday
Stratford East presents Burn it Down, a series of six newly commissioned script-in-hand performances about urgent political issues. Each piece will be a stand-alone scrutiny, calling out injustice and interrogating the systems that wield power.
"The old have been let down, the young aren’t falling for it and everyone else can’t deny it, things aren’t right, tipping points are being reached. There is a restlessness, a vibration, a need to call it out and protest - yes, but actually it’s more than that, it feels like people are revving up to bring about some real change and we’re here for that, we’re inspired by it!" Nadia Fall, Artistic Director
LISTING:
Tue 19 Apr, Thu 21 Apr, Tue 26 Apr, Thu 28 Apr, Tue 3 May & Thu 5 May 2022
Times: 7pm & 8.30pm
Tickets: £6 or £5 if booking for two or more events in the series in one transaction
Theatre Royal Stratford East and Ballet Black present
BALLET BLACK: DOUBLE BILL
Pancho
Concept & Direction by Cassa Pancho
Choreography by José Alves, Charlotte Broom, Isabela Coracy, Alexander Fadayiro, Sayaka Ichikawa, Rosanna Lindsey, Marie-Astrid Mence, Mthuthuzeli November, Cassa Pancho, Cira Robinson, Ebony Thomas
Lighting Design by David Plater
Costume Design by Jessica Cabassa
Music by Michael Asante, Jon Batiste, Flowdan, Etta James, Lord Kitchener, Steve Reich,
Soweto Gospel Choir
Maqoma
Choreography by Gregory Maqoma
Lighting Design by David Plater
Costume Design by TBC
Composed by Michael Asante
Performed by José Alves, Isabela Coracy, Alexander Fadayiro, Sayaka Ichikawa, Rosanna Lindsey, Mthuthuzeli November, Cira Robinson, Ebony Thomas.
Wednesday 11 – Saturday 21 May 2022
Press Performance: Wednesday 11 May 2022, 7.45pm
For their return to Theatre Royal Stratford East, Ballet Black present two new works. The first is a piece for the full company by acclaimed South African choreographer Gregory Maqoma (Vuyani Dance Theatre), featuring an original score by Michael ‘Mikey J’ Asante (Boy Blue). The second ballet on the bill is directed by Ballet Black’s Founder and Artistic Director, Cassa Pancho, featuring choreography created by her and the Company. The piece explores the struggles and inspiration behind the formation of this award-winning company twenty years ago, through a series of vignettes.
Ballet Black is transforming the dance landscape by giving a platform to artists of Black and Asian descent as well as to new and established choreographic voices whose unexpected stories and themes come from the heart to resonate with modern audiences.
LISTING:
Weds 11 May – Sat 21 May 2022
Times: 7.45pm
Tickets: from £10
Kenny Wax Family Entertainment in association with Mast Mayflower Studios present
FANTASTICALLY GREAT WOMEN WHO CHANGED THE WORLD
Adapted by Chris Bush
Lyrics by Chris Bush & Miranda Cooper
Music by Miranda Cooper & Jennifer Decilveo
Directed by Amy Hodge
Set & Costume Design by Joanna Scotcher
Choreographed by Danielle Lecointe
Lighting Design by Zoe Spurr
Lighting Sound Design by Carolyn Downing
Casting by Rosie Pearson of Pearson Casting
Orchestrations & Music Production by Jennifer Decilveo
Live Arrangements by Jen Green
Musical Director Audra Cramer
Production Manager Tamsin Rose
General Management Kenny Wax Family Entertainment
Wednesday 15 June – Sunday 17 July 2022
Press Performance: Tuesday 21 June 2022, 7pm
A brand new kickass-pirational pop musical bursts into life as the Fantastically Great Women take to the stage to tell their stories. Be one of the first to see the follow-up show by the producer of the international hit musical SIX.
Join our inquisitive heroine Jade as she breaks away from her class to take a peek behind the scenes at the not yet open Gallery of Greatness in the local museum. Along her journey she is surprised to meet the incredible wonder women: Frida Kahlo, Rosa Parks, Amelia Earhart, Marie Curie, Emmeline Pankhurst to name just a few.
From explorers to artists, scientists to secret agents, hear the stories of some of history’s strongest mothers, sisters and daughters; all independent icons who really did change the world.
Celebrated dramatist Chris Bush (Standing at the Sky's Edge) and Number 1 hit songwriter Miranda Cooper (Girls Aloud, Kylie Minogue) adapt suffragette descendent Kate Pankhurst’s award-winning picture book with music by Miranda Cooper and Jennifer Decilveo (Miley Cyrus, Beth Ditto), directed by Amy Hodge (Mr Gum and the Dancing Bear, National Theatre).
Adapted from Kate Pankhurst’s award-winning book, published by Bloomsbury.
LISTING:
Wed 15 Jun – Sun 17 Jul 2022
Times: various times (see website for full schedule)
Tickets: from £10
BSL Interpreted: Thu 7 Jul, 7pm
Captioned: Fri 08 Jul, 7pm
Audio Described: Sat 09 Jul, 2pm
Relaxed Environment: Thu 14 Jul, 2pm
Theatre Royal Stratford East, Gerry Raffles Square, London E15 1BN
Box Office 020 8534 0310 | www.stratfordeast.com
